El Clasico: FC Barcelona host Real Madrid in potential La Liga decider
Barca have dominated Madrid this season, beating them 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the league, 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup Final in Riyadh, and 3-2 at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey Final. Hansi Flick is looking to make it four out of four against the all-whites. Only one manager has got off to a better start than that as Pep Guardiola won five from 2008 to 2010.
Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano scored a remarkable 37 goals for Real Madrid in the 1992/93 season, the most by a player in his debut season at the club. In his first season at the club, Kylian Mbappe would be looking to match that number with just one more goal needed.
Real Madrid have won their last four league games, and are hoping to string together a fifth for the first time this season, Barca on the other hand have also won four on the trot in La Liga and are unbeaten in 15 outings in the league. Their last defeat in the competition came against Atletico Madrid in December 2024.
This game will also usher in a new era for La Liga fans in India after broadcaster FanCode , announced on Saturday, has secured a five-year exclusive deal to broadcast Spanish top-tier football league (La Liga) and second-tier (La Liga Hypermotion) in India for the next five years.
Where: El Clasico will be played at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
When: El Clasico is scheduled to kick-off at 7:45 PM IST.
Where to watch: La Liga is scheduled to be live streamed on FanCode.
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
Euro 2025: England defend their title; beat Spain 3-1 on penalties
England successfully defended its Women's European Championship title on Sunday in its own special way, thriving in high tension yet again to take down world champion Spain in a shootout in the final. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick to give England a 3-1 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time. I was cool, I was composed, and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net, said Kelly, whose goals decided a second straight Women's Euros final, and also the semifinal five days earlier. England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved spot kicks from Mariona Caldentey and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmat, before substitute Salma Paralluelo dragged her shot wide of goal. The defending champion won the only way it knew how at this thrilling Euro 2025. It was the most chaotic tournament we played, said England coach Sarina Wiegman, who has now won three straight Women's Euros titles. Super subs England had fallen behind in the first half, fought back in the second and relied on its superb substitutes including Kelly just as it did against Italy and beating Sweden on penalties previously in the knockout rounds. I actually can't believe it myself, Wiegman said. How can this happen? But it happens. We're just going to party tonight. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo's header from a cross by Kelly after Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Batlle's cross. Spain trailed for only four minutes in the entire tournament and not for one second against England yet could not seal its first European title against the team it beat in the World Cup final two years ago. I think this team deserved more. At least not living with this bitter feeling, Spain coach Montse Tom said in translated comments. Kelly had scored an extra-time winning goal for England at Wembley three years ago to beat Germany 2-1. Spain's missed chance In extra time Spain had good possession in the England penalty area so many times yet did not force a decisive goal. It was cruel, Bonmat told Spanish broadcaster La 1, after being named best player of the tournament. We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that's not enough. Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved spot kicks from England captain Leah Williamson and the first by Beth Mead. It was appropriate in England's memorable tournament that Mead's penalty had to be retaken under a new soccer rule that allows a second chance when a player scores by slipping and touching the ball twice. It did not matter after Hampton's saves. Classic Arsenal goals Arsenal attackers like scoring with perfectly placed headers from inviting crosses sent to the ideal spot. Spain took the lead Sunday with a very English goal a full back's cross from the byline finding the head of an Arsenal player to score, on a rain-slicked field on an overcast, cloudy day. The strong Spanish flavor leading to Caldentey's opener was in the neat passing to find Athenea del Castillo in the penalty area and her vision to see Ona Batlle's direct run into space. Caldentey was in the Arsenal team that won the Women's Champions League final in May beating a Barcelona side with six starters who also lined up for Spain on Sunday. Spain used three more Barcelona players as substitutes. The Arsenal forward line in that final, Russo and Kelly, combined to tie the Euro 2025 final. Kelly's right-foot cross from the left was floated toward the head of Russo who guided the ball back toward the top corner of the Spain net. Wiegman's hat trick England coach Wiegman has still never before been eliminated from a Women's Euros tournament. Despite how close she came three times this month, she acknowledged after the final whistle Sunday. The top female national-team coach of her generation has a Euros hat trick after leading England to victory in 2022 and her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. Both those titles were won as the host nation team and no England senior team, men or women, had previously won a world or continental title abroad. Wiegman also extended the run of title-winning women coaches to eight Women's Euros editions across 28 years. Women were outnumbered by male coaches each time. Royal appointment There was royalty from both nations in the VIP box at St-Jakob Park including heirs to each throne. Prince William, the first son of Britain's King Charles, was with his daughter Princess Charlotte. He is president of the English Football Association. Also present were Princess Leonor of Spain and her younger sister, Infanta Sofa. At the 2023 World Cup final Sofia was at the game with her mother Queen Letizia in Sydney, Australia. After the game King Charles congratulated the Lionesses team on their sporting skill and awesome teamwork. For this," the king wrote, "you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.
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The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
Dejected Bonmati hopes to bounce back stronger after UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final loss to England
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